David W. Connolly
Dance Magazine wrote, “David’s life demonstrates the quintessential balancing act between career and community service.” He’s a theatre-maker who also happens to be a double, below-knee amputee.
David holds an Honours Bachelor Degree in Musical Theatre Performance from Sheridan College and is a recipient of the Premier of Ontario's Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the field of applied arts and community service. After graduating, he was cast in the Broadway revival of Shenandoah and became the only amputee to have have ever performed on Broadway. Still. This reality makes David an active advocate and ambassador. In January 2020, he curated and moderated the first-ever disability inclusion panel at BroadwayCon in New York City.
His short film, "Moonlight Sonata,” in collaboration with Pauletta Washington and Diane Louie for the United Nations Development Programme, premiered at the Smithsonian Film Festival presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC in 2019.
David has helmed over thirty musicals including the Canadian regional theatre premieres of Kinky Boots, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Mamma Mia! and Disney’s Newsies. Collaborators have included Katy Perry, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Deepa Mehta, kd lang, Patti LaBelle, Sarah Brightman and many others. www.DavidWConnolly.com
Visit David’s website here
Follow David on Instagram @davidwconnolly
1. Pauletta Washington, United Nations Development Programme Concert, “Chronicle” - Director, photo: Bruce Zinger
2. Lisa Ray and Rahul Khanna in Deepa Mehta’s "Bollywood/ Hollywood” - Choreographer, photo: K Woroner.
3. Michelle Bouey, Scott Farley, Shannon Hamilton, Matthew Nethersole, Chris George in “The Moblees” - Director/ Choreographer, photo: CBC Kids
4. Jos N Banks and Company, Drayton Entertainment's “Kinky Boots” - Director/ Choreographer, photo: Hilary Gauld-Camilleri
5. Billy Lake and Company, Drayton Entertainment's “Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert” - Director/ Choreographer, photo: Hilary Gauld-Camilleri
6. Faith Prince, Christine Sherrill and Carmen Cusak in "First Wives Club, The Musical” - Choreographer, photo: dj Pierce